Loughborough Lightning’s ability to ‘wrestle back momentum’ pleased head coach Nathan Smith as his side secured a nerve-jangling 33-33 draw with Exeter Chiefs.
The Africa Violets refused to fade away in Sunday’s cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens encounter, as they managed to claw back a 12-point deficit to twice pull the scores level – including a last-minute finish from Meg Davey and an ice cool Helen Nelson conversion to ensure Smith’s side took three points from the game.
“I thought in the first half we showed some really good stuff,” he said. “We stuck to the plan, made some key adaptions at half time and we just got off to a bad start second half with us conceding two early tries.
“I am happy how we wrestled momentum back and got into a position to win the game. I thought that there were some really strong performances again, in particular, I thought Mae [Sagapolu] carried exceptionally well.
One of the players who made the most telling impact was Alev Kelter, who broke free for a fine first-half try before completing her brace in the second period with a powerful fend and finish to get Lightning back in the game.
The USA international’s first tries of the 2025/26 season took her tally to nine in 14 games since joining the club in the summer of 2024.
“Alev’s not had enough touches on the ball so far this season and we've been really we've been really working on that this week,” explained Smith. “Because the more she touches the ball, the more we’re on the front foot and the more threatening we look is an attack.”
Experienced campaigners like Kelter were teamed up once more with a core of young players such as vice-captain Carmela Morrall, Calladine, Lia Green, Haineala Lutui, Becky Boyd and Kendall Waudby – who have all been ever-presents so far this season.
“We’ve got such a young group with some really experienced internationals around them,” said Smith. “The young players are doing some really good things, but they're also making errors, but that that’s fine because that’s essentially where they are on their development pathway.
“If they don’t make the errors not going to grow, so we’ve got to support them and keep coaching them and keep improving.”
For the second time in as many weeks, a crowd of more than 1,500 people attended cinch Stadium and were treated to a 66-point thriller. Their support was not lost on the head coach, he said: “Week on week now, it’s so pleasing to see people turning up. I can see Lightning shirts in there, but also Northampton Saints ones too.
“The PWR is an entertaining league, and we play an entertaining brand of rugby. While I am disappointed, we couldn’t give them a win, I think everyone walked away from the game having enjoyed what they saw.”
Lightning have a bye week in Round 4 of the PWR season, their next fixture is back at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens when Leicester Tigers are the visitors on Saturday 29 November – click HERE to book your tickets!